Music
Overcoming Writer's Block
Bruce Springsteen was frustrated and exhausted when his manager, Jon Landau, insisted he write a preeminent single for his 1984 album “Born in the U.S.A.” By that point, Springsteen had already written over 80 songs for the album, yet a standout single still eluded him. Returning to his hotel later that evening, Springsteen poured all of his pent-up angst and frustration into the song “Dancing in the Dark”, wherein he grapples with the “joke[s]” that are writer’s block and self-doubt, as well as how the external pressures of the music industry and his own audience can stifle creativity and personal growth.
By Strange Overtones5 months ago in Critique
Trailer Trash McMansions
Feeling poor? Sometimes it’s a matter of just not being able to land a job with a good pay cheque. Or sometimes it’s a matter of refusing to tolerate corporate bullshit even for a good pay cheque. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being poor.
By Narghiza Ergashova6 months ago in Critique
Paul Young, Wang Chung,John Waite, Rick Springfield
NJPAC in Newark, New Jersey was pretty crowded last evening to watch and witness some formidable artist of yesteryear. Opening the show with Paul Young who wasn't originally on the card for the evening, played four songs concluding with his hit "Everytime You Go Away".
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 months ago in Critique
Tunisian Man Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Refusing to Listen to President's Speech
In a development that has sparked serious concerns among human rights activists and international observers, a Tunisian citizen has been sentenced to six months in prison for refusing to listen to a televised speech by President Kais Saied. The unusual and controversial sentence, handed down by a local court, has once again brought Tunisia's declining state of freedom of expression under the spotlight.
By Ikram Ullah7 months ago in Critique
🎼 Music: The Language That Speaks When Words Fail . AI-Generated.
Have you ever listened to a song and felt like it was telling your story—without a single word? Music is a universal language, but not in the way we usually think of language. It doesn’t rely on grammar or vocabulary. Instead, it uses rhythm, melody, harmony, and silence to speak directly to our emotions.
By The Yume Collective7 months ago in Critique
The Problem With Award Shows Nobody Talks About
There was a time when award shows were magical. Glitzy gowns, heartfelt speeches, standing ovations, and the belief that talent and hard work would always be recognized. But something has shifted. For years now, murmurs of discontent have grown into full-blown criticism, and while the conversations around diversity, snubs, and politics have been heard in mainstream circles, there's a deeper issue that remains largely untouched. The problem with award shows isn't just about who wins or loses—it's about the illusion they’ve carefully built, the emotional manipulation they encourage, and the way they subtly reinforce hierarchy in the creative world.
By Muhammad Asim7 months ago in Critique
A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers
Introduction This is for Annie Kapur's "Sing Us the Song of the Century" Challenge, which you can find here: I have always loved the music of Van Der Graaf Generator and knew the actual device from which they took their name from school physics lessons.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 8 months ago in Critique
Desolation Row. Top Story - June 2025.
Introduction This is for Annie Kapur's "Sing Us the Song of the Century" Challenge, which you can find here: I don't normally make more than one entry to a Challenge, but I will have two in this one. Even Bob Dylan has so many "story songs" that take you somewhere else, and Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along The Watchtower" would be my choice if I were limited to a 7" single and we have Hedrix's guitar and full on vocals (apparently, he was embarrassed about his own lyrics but he lets loose on Dylan's words) but that is not for this story.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 8 months ago in Critique
Immigration Policy
Australians are now living an average of a decade longer than we were just ten years ago, with women benefiting the most from this increase in life expectancy, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' report, Life Expectancy. While this is a remarkable achievement and something we often celebrate, it comes with a sobering reality: our standard of living has significantly declined. Although we may be living longer, many are living lives far poorer than they had envisioned - something the media rarely addresses openly.
By Narghiza Ergashova8 months ago in Critique
